Comments on: . . . And That’s the Magic Number http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/09/26/and-thats-the-magic-number/ Development site for Bronx Banter Blog's upcoming look and feel Wed, 22 May 2013 02:03:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: a.O http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/09/26/and-thats-the-magic-number/#comment-218031 a.O Sat, 26 Sep 2009 20:04:00 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=24334#comment-218031 [14, 15] Very well said. [14, 15] Very well said.

]]> By: FreddySez http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/09/26/and-thats-the-magic-number/#comment-218030 FreddySez Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:39:21 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=24334#comment-218030 [15] 'zackly. I respect the gospel of those tables, but we all have to remember that they represent probability, not certainty. This is one of the less-heralded things that makes Jeter stand out. Because Rich is right -- the bunt "better work" -- and he's one of the few people skilled at it anymore. [15] ‘zackly.

I respect the gospel of those tables, but we all have to remember that they represent probability, not certainty.

This is one of the less-heralded things that makes Jeter stand out. Because Rich is right — the bunt “better work” — and he’s one of the few people skilled at it anymore.

]]> By: Rich http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/09/26/and-thats-the-magic-number/#comment-218029 Rich Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:14:39 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=24334#comment-218029 I think a bunt has to be viewed in context. Is it in the early or late innings? Does the batter have trouble v. a given pitcher? Is the pitching matchup such that one run will win the game? Is he bunting for a hit or is he merely sacrificing? On balance, however, run expectancy tables are pretty potent. So as with any tactic that lacks strong factual support, the bunt better work. I think a bunt has to be viewed in context. Is it in the early or late innings? Does the batter have trouble v. a given pitcher? Is the pitching matchup such that one run will win the game? Is he bunting for a hit or is he merely sacrificing? On balance, however, run expectancy tables are pretty potent. So as with any tactic that lacks strong factual support, the bunt better work.

]]> By: FreddySez http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/09/26/and-thats-the-magic-number/#comment-218028 FreddySez Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:04:35 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=24334#comment-218028 Part of my brain is trying to stop me from writing this, because I'll stir up a hornet's nest, but... "Joe Girardi and Derek Jeter’s irritating fondness for the bunt" I am totally conversant with the statistical arguments against bunting. And I'm not one of these anti-math throwbacks who thinks the game is all about "intangibles" and tobacco juice. And yet... A bunt is more than just a surrendered out, and I believe it still has a place in the game. Done right (which is a whole other thread), it's a destabilizing surprise that forces the defense to execute perfectly under pressure. The threat of it skews the way a defense aligns itself, opening other opportunities. Not to mention the prospect that someone like Jeter might beat out a cleanly fielded bunt, as we've seen plenty of times. Because the argument "for or against stats" has resolved into a false dichotomy and armed camps, it's always dangerous to suggest there's a truth beyond arithmetic. I am not casting my lot here with anti-rationalists like Jon Heyman or any of FJM's other targets (FJM: sigh). But I am reflecting my real-life experience playing a corner infield position in hardball, albeit at a creaky amateur level. Has the bunt been overused through most of history? Sure. Do modern players learn the skill adequately? No, and I believe that contributes to modern analysts' willingness to condemn it. So the play has all kinds of baggage and problems associated with it. That doesn't mean it's ready for the ash heap. Part of my brain is trying to stop me from writing this, because I’ll stir up a hornet’s nest, but…

“Joe Girardi and Derek Jeter’s irritating fondness for the bunt”

I am totally conversant with the statistical arguments against bunting. And I’m not one of these anti-math throwbacks who thinks the game is all about “intangibles” and tobacco juice. And yet…

A bunt is more than just a surrendered out, and I believe it still has a place in the game.

Done right (which is a whole other thread), it’s a destabilizing surprise that forces the defense to execute perfectly under pressure. The threat of it skews the way a defense aligns itself, opening other opportunities. Not to mention the prospect that someone like Jeter might beat out a cleanly fielded bunt, as we’ve seen plenty of times.

Because the argument “for or against stats” has resolved into a false dichotomy and armed camps, it’s always dangerous to suggest there’s a truth beyond arithmetic. I am not casting my lot here with anti-rationalists like Jon Heyman or any of FJM’s other targets (FJM: sigh). But I am reflecting my real-life experience playing a corner infield position in hardball, albeit at a creaky amateur level.

Has the bunt been overused through most of history? Sure. Do modern players learn the skill adequately? No, and I believe that contributes to modern analysts’ willingness to condemn it. So the play has all kinds of baggage and problems associated with it. That doesn’t mean it’s ready for the ash heap.

]]> By: Rich http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/09/26/and-thats-the-magic-number/#comment-218027 Rich Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:01:24 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=24334#comment-218027 [11,12] Freudian? [11,12] Freudian?

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/09/26/and-thats-the-magic-number/#comment-218026 monkeypants Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:00:10 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=24334#comment-218026 [11] was for [10]. In comedy, timing is everything. [11] was for [10].

In comedy, timing is everything.

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/09/26/and-thats-the-magic-number/#comment-218025 monkeypants Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:59:21 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=24334#comment-218025 [11] Won't Andy be jealous?? [11] Won’t Andy be jealous??

]]> By: weeping for brunnhilde http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/09/26/and-thats-the-magic-number/#comment-218024 weeping for brunnhilde Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:42:26 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=24334#comment-218024 [7] Yeah, totally caught that. It was great to hear Leiter call him on it. Have I mentioned I'm Leiter's #1 Fan, btw? Seriously, I'm awfully fond of him. [7] Yeah, totally caught that. It was great to hear Leiter call him on it.

Have I mentioned I’m Leiter’s #1 Fan, btw?

Seriously, I’m awfully fond of him.

]]> By: Hank http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/09/26/and-thats-the-magic-number/#comment-218023 Hank Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:06:19 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=24334#comment-218023 [0] I also loathe the MY9 games, for the visual quality of the broadcast as well as the lack of a postgamze. [7] Actually, I thought Kay handled the Lester injury fairly well. I felt like he was talking it up because it was a huge story -- a World Series contender losing one of its top starters on the eve of the playoffs. And at the time of the injury as they were showing the replay over and over, he definitely said something like, "If you're a baseball fan, or just a human being, you don't want to see this." Wait a minute... was I just defending Michael Kay? [0] I also loathe the MY9 games, for the visual quality of the broadcast as well as the lack of a postgamze.
[7] Actually, I thought Kay handled the Lester injury fairly well. I felt like he was talking it up because it was a huge story — a World Series contender losing one of its top starters on the eve of the playoffs. And at the time of the injury as they were showing the replay over and over, he definitely said something like, “If you’re a baseball fan, or just a human being, you don’t want to see this.”

Wait a minute… was I just defending Michael Kay?

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/09/26/and-thats-the-magic-number/#comment-218022 monkeypants Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:27:05 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=24334#comment-218022 [7] Ick. I'm glad I missed that. [7] Ick. I’m glad I missed that.

]]> By: The Hawk http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/09/26/and-thats-the-magic-number/#comment-218021 The Hawk Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:08:03 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=24334#comment-218021 I was somewhat disturbed by Michael Kay's apparent enthusiasm for Lester's injury. He was positively bubbling over with thoughts of a weakened Red Sox rotation in the playoffs. Then when word arrived the injury wasn't so severe he said "That will make Red Sox fans happy" or something to that effect, to which Leiter correctly replied "It'll make baseball fans happy". I mean come on, Mike! I was somewhat disturbed by Michael Kay’s apparent enthusiasm for Lester’s injury. He was positively bubbling over with thoughts of a weakened Red Sox rotation in the playoffs. Then when word arrived the injury wasn’t so severe he said “That will make Red Sox fans happy” or something to that effect, to which Leiter correctly replied “It’ll make baseball fans happy”. I mean come on, Mike!

]]> By: Rich http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/09/26/and-thats-the-magic-number/#comment-218020 Rich Sat, 26 Sep 2009 13:50:21 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=24334#comment-218020 My problem with My9 is that they should have subtitles when Russ Salzberg speaks. My problem with My9 is that they should have subtitles when Russ Salzberg speaks.

]]> By: Jim in Binghamton http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/09/26/and-thats-the-magic-number/#comment-218019 Jim in Binghamton Sat, 26 Sep 2009 12:55:23 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=24334#comment-218019 My9 -- or My8 -- as it is here -- sucks. Especially as we don't get it in HD via TimeWarner, and the low def picture is absolutely awful, somehow worse than the picture on other low-def channels. Even using a hd antenna to pick up the digital over -the-air signal it sucks. Absurd that the clowns at My9 got two games this week too. My9 — or My8 — as it is here — sucks. Especially as we don’t get it in HD via TimeWarner, and the low def picture is absolutely awful, somehow worse than the picture on other low-def channels. Even using a hd antenna to pick up the digital over -the-air signal it sucks.

Absurd that the clowns at My9 got two games this week too.

]]> By: Paul http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/09/26/and-thats-the-magic-number/#comment-218018 Paul Sat, 26 Sep 2009 12:32:47 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=24334#comment-218018 Loved how Tex screamed "Yeah" or something to the effect at Joba as he ran by after the Ellsbury groundout in the 5th. [1] Indeed. And with each one, I think I heard A-Rod saying F-U. Scioscia, watching the highlights, must be grinning from ear to ear. I don't see how Varitek starts in the post-season. He certainly didn't "call" a great game last night! <i>Varitek has a player option next year, $3 million.</i> Now that's funny. (Looking up free agent catchers...now's that's funnier!). Loved how Tex screamed “Yeah” or something to the effect at Joba as he ran by after the Ellsbury groundout in the 5th.

[1] Indeed. And with each one, I think I heard A-Rod saying F-U.

Scioscia, watching the highlights, must be grinning from ear to ear.

I don’t see how Varitek starts in the post-season. He certainly didn’t “call” a great game last night!

Varitek has a player option next year, $3 million.

Now that’s funny. (Looking up free agent catchers…now’s that’s funnier!).

]]> By: RIYank http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/09/26/and-thats-the-magic-number/#comment-218017 RIYank Sat, 26 Sep 2009 12:09:12 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=24334#comment-218017 I loved it when Al Leiter said (after the A-Bomb), "There are no no-brainers about it!" Martinez will catch Daisuke. Until now, the word was that Varitek would be the catcher for Dice and Beckett. Sounds like they're rethinking it. Varitek has a player option next year, $3 million. Francona says Lester is okay and may make his next start. I loved it when Al Leiter said (after the A-Bomb), “There are no no-brainers about it!”

Martinez will catch Daisuke. Until now, the word was that Varitek would be the catcher for Dice and Beckett. Sounds like they’re rethinking it. Varitek has a player option next year, $3 million.

Francona says Lester is okay and may make his next start.

]]> By: unmoderated http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/09/26/and-thats-the-magic-number/#comment-218016 unmoderated Sat, 26 Sep 2009 10:29:40 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=24334#comment-218016 the "My" channel is a farce as a whole. Our local cable package does not include it, but after Yankee fans made a stink, they decided to broadcast it on an unused channel one night a week. It turns out to be a MY9 game from a MY6 feed (out of Binghamton, I think) shown on channel 7.2. I saw my first MY9 game of the year last night - it took me that long to find it. the “My” channel is a farce as a whole. Our local cable package does not include it, but after Yankee fans made a stink, they decided to broadcast it on an unused channel one night a week.
It turns out to be a MY9 game from a MY6 feed (out of Binghamton, I think) shown on channel 7.2.
I saw my first MY9 game of the year last night – it took me that long to find it.

]]> By: a.O http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/09/26/and-thats-the-magic-number/#comment-218015 a.O Sat, 26 Sep 2009 09:04:12 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=24334#comment-218015 Watching the Yanks run all over Varitek is one of my favorite highlights of the whole season. Watching the Yanks run all over Varitek is one of my favorite highlights of the whole season.

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